PROGRAMS

The Advanced 2 & 3 language course focuses on the continued development of communicative competence in the target language through listening, speaking, writing and reading activities. Specifically, students will creatively present projects about themselves and others, write their own skits and develop their French language abilities through various technology-based lessons and activities. We will use the five iPads purchased by the school, specifically for this new class, as a key resource. Students must have successfully completed an Advanced-level class at l’Ecole du Samedi or demonstrate comparable language skills. The communication between students and the instructor(s) will occur mostly in the target language.

Because students may begin formal language learning at various stages of their cognitive development, the vocabulary and content will be adjusted to reflect developmentally appropriate interests and levels. Students will build on their cultural knowledge of the Francophone world by studying different French-speaking countries/regions and their cultures. Students will take part in culturally enriching experiences during class time, such as sampling foods and learning traditional dances and songs from French-speaking countries.

If your child has already participated in the Advanced 2 Class, you’re probably wondering, “How will this course be any different?” Here are just a few ways the new combined course will be different for your child:

· Advanced 3 students will serve as peer-coaches and “student experts” on certain topics they mastered the previous year.

· Advanced 3 students will participate in at least one literary study per semester. We will actually read and discuss a French language book that appeals to the students and is appropriate for their level of reading comprehension.

· Advanced 3 students will propose, develop and present an independent project on a topic of their choice (either with a partner or alone) 100 percent in the target language. Some possibilities include producing a short film, a commercial, or an animated video. Students may also record interviews with French-speakers, create an original game to develop language skills, or research and present information on a current issue that matters to them.